Umingan, Pangasinan—A P200 million worth state-of-the-art hospital will soon rise in Barangay Gonzales, Umingan, Pangasinan, following the time capsule laying and groundbreaking ceremony held on January 18.
Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG Lambino, spearheaded the undertaking, with Umingan as the host LGU.
“This is just the start of our envisioned township/community project. Let’s claim it ,na accomplishment na natin ito,” the governor said.
The construction of Umingan Community Hospital, which will have a 55-bed capacity, is a component of the township project on a 4.5-hectare lot owned by the provincial government.
Apart from the hospital, Gov. Guico likewise looks forward to the construction of a transport terminal, a commercial area, a daycare center, a park, a social hall, and probably a housing component.
It will be a five-year program to modernize all 14 hospitals in the province; however, the governor is hopeful that it will be expedited.
“Narito na ang matagal na nating pangarap, 30 years ago na ang ating pagamutan, pero ngayon lamang natin makikita na matutupad na ang pangarap na mas maayos na hospital,” Dr. Tracy Lou Bitoy, Chief of Hospital-Umingan Community Hospital, said in her speech.
The provincial government-owned hospitals in the towns of Tayug, Lingayen, and Urdaneta City have also been considered a priority for modernization, considering their poor condition.
The Guico administration has placed health among its priority programs.
In line with this, Gov. Guico asked Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II to assess all of the employees of the hospital and make thorough evaluations.
“Kawawa naman yong iba diyan. 30 years na, J.O. pa rin. Ang prinsipyo namin, nag-devote tayo ng buhay natin sa hospital, hindi man lang natikman maging casual o permanente. Yong deserving, we give them the opportunity to be permanent and part of the provincial organization,” he said.
The governor, together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is keen on laying down more gigantic programs beneficial to the province.
As reported by the governor, the groundbreaking of the Pangasinan Link Expressway is expected to be realized in March.
The Guico administration also sets its focus on other areas of concern, to wit:
Adopt a river project: SP has given the governor the authority to sign a MOA for all the rivers in Pangasinan. Said project is the best way to mitigate and address problems of flooding without cost to the province or the LGUs.
Housing program—one of the programs that the governor would highly recommend primarily to provide security and peace of mind.
Salt farm: after being taken over by the province, some 175,000 kilos of salt have already been harvested.
(Chona C. Bugayong, Photos by Joey Olimpo/PIMRO)
